Stipa himalaica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 20–45 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–4 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 0.5–1 cm long; 1–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scabrous; rough abaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; linear; 5–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 20–30 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 1.5–2 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 20–30 mm long; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; subterete; 8–11.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pilose; hairy all along. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; with this appendage 1–2 mm long; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 100–160 mm long overall; with twisted column; deciduous; limb plumose; with 4–5 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn hirtellous; with 2–3 mm long hairs. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Pak 1993.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.